Interval timer



EN, am... 1 v

E. R. BROWN INTERVAL TIMER May 5, 1959 Filed May 28, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

[vereff E Bran v1 MaZM ,4, (5mm JTTOR NE Y- y 5, 5 R. BROWN 2,885,001

INTERVAL TIMER Filed May 28, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 1/ 3. if w 1/ ,4 2 14% my m ATTORNEY May 5, 1959 Filed May 28, 1954 E. RLBROWN INTERVAL TIMER 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

were 570mm Bra/1444i ATTORNEY.

INTERVAL TIMER Everett R. Brown, Warrington, Pa, assignor to Automan'c Timing & Controls, Inc., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application May 28, 1954, Serial No. 433,142

15 Claims. (Cl. 161-1) This invention pertains to rotary shaft actuated apparatus and illustratively relates to timers.

it is among the objects of the invention to improve the art of timers; to reduce the cost while increasing the active life of timers; to provide a timer with a clutch with a hand reset from the front of the timer, in a transparent unit, through which the operation of the clutch can be observed without disassembly of the unit; to provide a timer of standard construction for all cycles but which can be predetermined as to particular time cycles by a mere change of the front or cover element at one end, and by preselection of a given timing motion at the other end; to provide a timer for reception of a given timing motor, with an adapter permitting a different motor to be associated in driving relation; to provide a timer with a clutch unit of a modified friction type in which a pointer is selectively engaged with and disengaged from a constantly driven large size resilient member with fingers on the pointer for engaging the member for driving the pointer in one sense, with means for disengaging the fingers to permit a mechanical bias to return the pointer to its cyclic starting point, without interfering with the constant drive of the resilient member; to provide a timer organization driven by the output shaft of a motor which is independent of gears for initiating or effecting a timing cycle; to provide a simplified mounting and assembly organization for timers; to provide a timer organization in which a dust-tight housing assembly is effected in a novel gasket utilization; to provide in timers a constantly driven resilient ring or the like for engagement by indenting finger means of a pointer, for moving the pointer through a predetermined timed cycle, with means for disengaging the pointer at the end of such cycle, and with means for disengaging the pointer during such cycle; to provide a timer in which for all practical purposes reset and the initiation of a new cycle are instantaneous and do not depend upon the meshing and unmeshing of gears nor the entry of a dog or pawl between the teeth of a gear; to provide any of the foregoing objects in the broad field of rotary shaft actuated devices which, although illustratively exemplified by timers, is attained in other devices such as revolution counters, impulse counters, and the like; and to provide other objects and advantages as will become more apparent as the description proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this description:

Fig. 1 represents an elevation, partially broken away, of the timer, according to an illustrative embodiment thereof, as mounted in a panel, with only the cover plate exposed externally thereof, and with one type of motor associated therewith and driving the clutch member through a geared adapter.

Fig. 2 represents a front eievation of the timer showing illustrative 'graduaticns on the transparent part of the face thereof, and with the manual setting knob in position forwardly thereof, disclosing the generally transparent ring-like section through which the constantly driven clutch O ring organization and the operating ends nited States Patent 0'" 2,335,001 Patented May 5, 1959 of the settable finger and of the driven finger can be observed.

Fig. 3 represents a fragmentary section through the timer, partially in full lines, showing the electro-magnetic organization for actuating the clutch of the unit, and bridging one pair of contacts for one part of the circuit controlled by the timer, with the motor removed.

Fig. i represents a rear elevation of the timer with one type of motor associated therewith.

Fig. 5 represents a fragmentary section through the rear plate of the motor with the connection between the motor of Fig. 4 and the driven shaft in section.

Fig. 6 represents a rear elevation of the timer with a motor of the type shown in Pig. I mounted on the rear plate of the timer and operative through a geared adapter.

Pig. 7 represents a fragmentary elevation of the linkage for operating the clutch rocker or rock shaft, in one coupled relation thereof.

Fig. 8 represents a fragmentary section through part of the clutch mechanism, showing the disengaged relation of the parts Fig. 8A represents a fragmentary end elevation of the clutch shaft, showing the torsion spring.

Fig. 9 represents on an enlarged scale an axially longitudinal section through the front end of the timer.

Fig. 10 represents a fragmentary transverse section, showing the relation of the manually settable pointer for predeterminin-g the time cycle, in abutting engagement with the driven pointer when the latter is in its engaged or clutched relation to the driven 0 ring on the constantly driven clutch member, as may happen while reducing the time cycle during the running of a preset operative time cycle.

Fig. 11 represents a similar fragmentary section in which, by reason of the resistance offered by the engagement of the driven pointer with the O ring clutch unember, manual pressure from the setting knob causes a wedging member directly actuated by the knob to engage the driven pointer to wedge it axially away from the clutch 0 ring to release same and to permit the setting and driven finger to be moved manually together.

Fig. 12 represents a fragmentary axially longitudinal section through the front end of the timer organization, showing in exaggerated manner the wedging or camming axial release of the driven pointer to permit the conjoint motion of the setting and driven fingers, as established in Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 represents a diagrammatic fragmentary section showing the relation of the indenting clutching lug on the driven finger in the declutched relation to the O ring.

Fig. 14 represents a similar view, showing the deformation of the O ring by the clutching lug, in the engaged and clutch-actuated position.

The timer is formed of a molded or east annular rear plate 10, externally mounting a time controlled motor 11, and comprising a terminal strip for the various electrical connectors of the timer. The terminals 12 are disposed on plate iii in radial recesses 13, having wall barriers 14 partially surrounding and separating same. The molded rear plate is peripherally annular at its front end and has a peripherally continuous shallow shoulder 15 at about 45 to the central axis thereof toward its rear surface, to form one bearing and sealing surface for the locking and sealing O-ring to be described.

The timer has a cast annular front plate 16 of generally rounded square profile, the rearward face of which has a short annular wall 17 to be telescopically embraced by an enclosing sleeve or housing to be described, and has a rearwardly facing peripheral surface 18 of varying area peripherally about wall 17 and mounting a resilient gasket 18' to abut against the front face of a mounting panel, also to be described. The front and rear plates are connected by rods or the like, suitably connected with the plates to establish a rigid assembly.

A drive shaft 21 is suitably journalled in the respective plates, eccentric to the central axis of the assembly, and is driven at a timed rate by the motor 11. In the center of the front plate 16 a hollow driven shaft 22 is journalled, mounting on its inner end a gear 23, in constant mesh with a pinion gear 24 on the drive shaft 21, for constant driving relation between the driven shaft 22 and the motor 11. The hollow driven shaft 22, on its front end in front of the front plate 16, mounts and drives a disc 25 having a peripheral, usually asymmetrical, recess 26, in which the resilient O ring 27, preferably of rubber-like material, or the like, is mounted and frictionally held in place. The disc and O ring are constantly driven during timer operation and have no axial movement.

An axially movable shaft 27 is journalled in the hollow driven shaft 22, and in front of the disc 25 mounts a driven pointer finger 19, keyed to the shaft. The finger 19 mounts, preferably, a generally centrally disposed radial indenting clutch lug 30, toward its free end, and, at the outer end of the lug 3t), mounts a switch-actuating stud 31, for tripping a switch member 29 at the conclusion of the timed cycle. Shaft 27', inwardly of the plate 16 and of the hollow driven shaft 22, anchors one end of a torsion spring 32, the other end of which is anchored to a fixed point of the organization as at 33 in Fig. 8A. The inner free end of the shaft 27 mounts a spring-retaining cup 34 fixed to the shaft. In confronting and spaced relation to cup 34 is the freely slidably spring-retaining cup 35. A compression spring 36 surrounds the end of the shaft and is engaged in both cups. On a transverse rocker or rock shaft 40, a clevis 41 is mounted, having finger ends 42 straddling the shaft 27 and abuttingly engaging the free cup 35. When the rock shaft 40 moves clockwise, in Fig. 9, the fingers of the clevis tighten cup against spring 36, forcing the shaft 27' axially to the rear. This forces the clutch lug 30 of the driven finger 19 against the 0 ring 27. Lug 30 has a sloping surface 37 forming a sharp edge 38. Moving lug 30 against the O ring forces edge 38 into the O ring and indents same by deformation without penetration, and forms a resilient barrier 49 in O ring 27 engaging one side of indenting lug 30, as shown in Fig. 14, and causing the pointer 19 to rotate with the 0 ring for a timing cycle terminated when the stop 31 engages and trips the switch member 29. Through the undisclosed circuit connections, and through mechanism to be described, the tripping of the switch member 29 causes the rock shaft 40 to rock. counterclockwise, releasing the axial pressure on cup 35 and spring 36, and thus on the shaft 27', which moves axially under the slight bias of spring washers 39 and axially moves driven finger 19 axially away from disc 25, which releases the engagement of the clutch finger or lug 30 from the 0 ring 27. This permits the energy stored in the torsion spring 32 to become effective on the shaft 27 to cause a snap-return of the pointer 19 to engagement against the manually actuated setting pointer to be described.

A front cover plate 44 is provided, comprising preferably a thermoplastic or like housing element generally a rounded square in profile to enclose cast front plate 16, incorporating on its rear face blind anchoring apertures or recesses 45, with which the anchoring elements 46, attached to the front plate 16 establish anchored and secured fastening, in accordance with the disclosures of the application of Brown, Ser. No. 402,645, filed J an. 7, 1954, or the like. The element 46 comprises a resilient sleeve compressed axially to expand against the surface of the aperture 45. The cover plate 44, bearing suitable designations as to trademarks and other identifying data, has a generally transparent peripheral area 47, bearing indicia of time intervals 48, in the annular center of a generally square contrasting background 50. Preferably the rotating disc 25 and its 0 ring 27 are visible through the generally transparent portion of the cover. In concentric relation to the peripheral calibrations of time intervals 48, the cover plate is apertured, as at 51, to journal a metallic unit comprising a hollow sleeve portion 52, mounting a control knob 53, and cut away internally to form an axial recess 54 merging inwardly into the generally cylindrical recess 55. The metallic element mounts a flange disc 56 internally of the inner face of the cover plate, and frictionally engages a gasket or washer of Teflon or the like 57, engaged on the inner surface of the coverplate, as a friction device. The metallic element is urged axially forwardly to maintain the friction by a metallic washer 58 hearing against the outer face of the cover plate, a metallic Washer 64] engaging the metallic element, and an intermediate spring washer 61 engaged between and urging the washers apart, and thus pulling the flange disc 56 against the friction washer 57, to frictionally restrain knobcontrolled angular motion of the metallic element.

A torsion member 62 is provided, comprising a hollow cylindrical member 63, slidable and guidable in the recess 55 of the metallic member, merging into a shank member 64 extending across the axial recess 54 and into the sleeve 52, to which it is pinned at the forward end. The hollow cylindrical portion 63 of the torsion member 62, by any suitable means at its inner end mounts the hub 70 of an adjustable manually settable pointer 71, controlled in setting by the knob 53, through the torsion member 62. The hub 70 of settable pointer 71 may be cemented or riveted to the end of the cylindrical torsion member 63, but preferably it is apertured in a concentric series of apertures through which a corresponding series of axial studs molded on the member 63 extend, which latter are heat-fused or the like for bonding the hub to the torsion member. The hollow cylindrical member 63 has an axial aperture 73, within which, in assembly, the forward end of the shaft 27 may freely turn.

The knob-controlled pointer 71 mounts a stop member 74 for abutment by the driven pointer 19, and has a laterally projecting portion 75, in which, illustratively, an arcuate slot 76 is formed. A wedging pin 77 is rigidly mounted in the flange disc 56 of the metallic element and extends through the arcuate slot 76 and across the plane of movement of the driven pointer finger 19. The pin 7'7 at its free end has head 79 bounded by an axially tapered surface 78, disposed for intersection with an edge of the driven pointer finger 19. Under relative angular force between the pin 77 and the driven pointer finger ,19, as by manual rotation of the knob 53 toward the advancing driven pointer finger 19, the tapered surface 78 engages an edge of the driven pointer finger 19 and by a camming action forces the latter axially to disengage the indenting element 30 thereof from its indenting engagement with the O ring 27.

The torsion element 62 mounting the pointer 71 preferably is formed of such resilient material as nylon or the like, so that torque on the knob, while turning the parts rigidly attached thereto, namely the metallic element and its flange and the parts mounted thereon including the pin 77, only directly moves the pointer 71 through the nylon torsion element, and as the latter is anchored to the metallic element only at the forward end of its shank 64, moves the pointer 71 in a resiliently cushioned manner permitted by the relative motion of the pin 77 in the slot 76 of the pointer.

It will be understood that the clutch-controlled driven pointer moves in a cycle from a start in abutment against the stop 74 of the knob adjusted settable pointer 71 at the start of its cycle, to abutment against and actuation of the circuit-controlling switch member 29 at the end of the cycle, and return to abutment against the stop 74. With the timing functions of the organization coordinated with the calibrations 48 of the dial, and by angular adjustments of the knob 53, the relation of the variable start of the cycle to the fixed termination thereof can be established.

A solenoid or electromagnetic unit 81" is provided,

mounted internally of and on the rear or inner plate of the organization. A compound armature member 81 is provided, pivoted at 82, and on its inner end insulatedly mounts the bridging contact fingers 83, movable between and wiping two relatively fixed pairs of resilient contacts 84 and 85, mounted on the rear wall or plate 10, and selectively bridged or actuated to complete respective circuits in accordance with whether or not the electromagnet 80 is energized or deenergized. An adjustable spring bias 86 is provided for snapping the armature S1 to one extreme position when the electromagnet 80 is deenergized, While energization thereof snaps it in the other direction. Spring bias 86 is adjustable from the rear of plate 10, by adjustable screw 92 effecting axial movement of spring anchor 93, suitably guided against rotation in the assembly. External adjustment without disruption of the assembly, other than mere removal of the motor, varies the bias to control the wipe of the contacts, to adjust for reversal of the throw of the rock shaft and for changes in the voltage available on the electromagnet. When released, the bridging contact 83 closes the circuit through contacts 84, when electromagnetically moved the bridging contact breaks the circuit through contacts 84 and completes the circuit through contacts 85. At the outer free end the armature 81 is pivotally connected to a link 90, as at 89, pivoted to one end of a lever 91, mounted on the rock shaft 40, so that upon opening of the circuit through the electromagnet, say, at the conclusion of the timing cycle, by the engagement and actuation of the circuit controller switch member 29 by the stop 31 on the pointer, the bias 86 on the armature 81 forces the link 90 in such manner as to rock the rock-shaft in a counterclockwise direction, to release the clutch and permit the finger 19 to return to the start of the cycle. Means are provided for removing the link 90 from one end of the lever 91 and attaching it to the other end whereby this functional effect can be reversed, as will be understood.

Mention has been made of motor 11. It will be understood that there are various types of motors with various timed rates of output that may be used with the invention. To particu'larize, there is one type of motor in which the built-in reduction gear has an output shaft having an axial recess mating an axial rib on the input end of the drive shaft 21. Obviously, in this case the output shaft of the motor extends directly into the journal for the shaft 21, while the motor 11 is maintained within the periphery of the rear plate in axial projection.

Other types of motors which may be provided for driving the timer have a drive shaft displaced from the shaft 21, as the motor is mounted within the periphery of the rear plate in axial projection. To establish universality of utilization of the timer organization as so far disclosed, the drive shaft of the alternative motor type is provided with a pinion gear 100 and an adapter comprising a jack shaft 101 mounting a complemental gear 102 inserted in the journal for the drive shaft.

In order to enclose the apparatus in a dust-tight assembly, while furnishing means to be described for locking the assembly in the mounting panel, a cylinder of insulating material 104 is provided, having, if necessary, an indexing recess 105 on its forward end to match a complemental rearwardly projecting indexing protuberance 106 on the front plate 16. The cylinder 104 has a peripheral channel or groove, semi-circular in cross section, at a desired space from the indexing end, as at 107, and the rear end of the cylinder has a chamfered or bevelled edge at 45 to the common axis of the timer as at 100. The cylinder is slid axially over the timer into seating against gasket 18 on the inner wall 18 of the front plate 16, engaging shoulder 17, with the bevelled rear edge 108 juxtaposed to the complementally bevelled edge 15, upon and between both of which the sealing and locking 0 ring .110 is mounted,

between the recited complemental surfaces 108 and 15 to prevent retraction of the cylinder axially of the timer assembly, while effecting a tight dust seal therefor. A metallic or rigid lock ring 111 of internal circumference just large enough to effect sliding fit over the cylinder 104 is pushed forwardly to a position ahead of the groove 107, and the latter is then provided with a seated O ring 112. The usually three locking studs 113 are then forced forwardly of the ring parallel to the axis of the timer to abut against the rear or inner face the mounting panel 115, in aperture 116 of which the timer is mounted.

With a given timer organization in which both the motor and the dial are preselected for a given range of timing cycles in seconds or minutes, the link is attached to the end of the lever 91 in accordance with whether the timed cycle is to mark the opening of a circuit for the timed interval, or to close one for the interval. As noted, this latter can be changed at any time upon removal of the housing cylinder 104 and reconnection of the link to the proper end of the lever 91. In the coupling arrangement of Fig. 7, the clutch is engaged when the solenoid is energized and is disengaged upon deenergization thereof. With the link connected to the other end of the lever 91, the clutch is engaged when the solenoid is deenergized and is disengaged when energized.

The generally cylindrical timer has the sleeve 104 sealed on by the rear end 0 ring organization 110. The metal ring 111 and the gripping O ring 107 are removed and the timer is slid rearwardly through the aperture 116 of the mounting panel, until the gasket 18 of the front plate abuts the panel 115. The mounting ring has the studs 113 retracted and is slid over the cylindrical sleeve 104 to a position between the panel and the peripheral groove 107. The O ring 112 is then slid over the rear end of the timer and seated in the peripheral groove 107. The studs 113 are then advanced against the panel, forcing the mounting ring rearwardly against the 0 ring 112, and firmly anchoring the timer in its seated panel position.

in the normal operation of the timer, the knob 53 is turned against the frictional resistance of the washer S7 to establish a setting of the finger 71 for predetermining a datum for the start of the timing cycle. The motor 11 is energized and the disc 25 is driven at its established rate. At this time, in the or anization disclosed, the switch 83 engages and bridges contacts 84. At this time also the driven pointer finger 1 is abutting the stop 74 on settable finger 71, by reason of the torsional force on shaft 27' from spring 32.

To initiate a timed cycle, a circuit is closed through the solenoid 80, pulling in the armature 81 about its pivot 82. This simultaneously breaks the contact across switch members 8d and makes contact across switch members 85, and pulls link 90 to the rear. This actuates lever 91 and rocks shaft 40 in a clockwise direction. This motion forces the clevis 41 to bear, through its fingers 4-2, against the free cup member 35, compressing the spring 36, and yieldably forcing the shaft 27' to the rear. This causes the driven pointer finger 1'9 to move engaging lug 30 of the driven pointer finger to engage and to partially dig into the O ring 27, in the instantaneously juxtaposed area of the latter. The engagement by the lug effects a deformation, without penetration, of the 0 ring 7 and with the extremely small mass of the finger it starts instantly to travel arcuately with the 0 ring on the disc 25. This motion, by rotation of shaft 27', winds up torsion spring .32. The driven pointer finger travels at a timed rate and the timed interval or cycle terminates when the stud 31 on the pointer finger 19 engages switch actuating memher 29, and by operating the switch which the latter controls (not shown) opens the circuit through the solenoid 80.

Deenergization of the solenoid permits the armature 81 to respond to the spring bias 86 to swing on its pivot 82,

breaking the circuit across contacts 85, and making the circuit across contacts 84, by movement of bridging switch member 83, and simultaneously moving link 90 forwardly and through lever 91 rocking the rock shaft 40 in a counterclockwise direction. This removes the clevis pressure from the elements on shaft 27, which, by reason of the resilience of the spring washers 39, aided by the resilience of the ring 27, moves forwardly slightly to a degree just sufiicient to disengage the lug 30 from the rotating 0 ring. This permits the force of the torsion spring 32 to snap the driven pointer finger away from the switch 29 to shock-absorbed abutment against the stop 74 on the settable finger 71. Owing to the minute inertia of the driven finger, this return to its starting position against part of the settable finger is for all practical purposes instantaneous and additionally is free from bounce on impact. This is because of its small mass and by reason of the shock-absorbing qualities of the torsional nylon mount of the settable finger. This snap, no-bounce, return has a favorable aspect in the fact that a succeeding timing cycle can be immediately established. As there are no gears to be engaged by a dog or pawl between teeth, the delay and error incident to such intermittent drive is eliminated.

It will be clear that there is no problem in changing the setting of the settable finger 71 when the clutch is disengaged, as the manual finger motion is followed up completely by the rotations of the shaft 27 and the driven pointer finger 19, and even during a timing interval there is no problem in setting the manual finger 71 to increase the timed interval, i.e. in moving the settable finger away from the switch element 29. However, it will be seen that a change of setting of the settable finger 71 to decrease the timing interval while the clutch is engaged introduces the possibility that the manually settable finger 71 may be attempted to be swung into its new setting of shorter time interval before the driven pointer finger engaged with the rotating 0 ring in a timing cycle has passed beyond the new setting. If the driven pointer finger 19 is engaged by element 74 of the rotating setting finger 71 with force while the clutch is still engaged, it may abrade or even cut the O ring or at least form an excrescence thereon which may be of suificient magnitude as to engage and move the driven finger without clutch operation. To guard against this possibility the invention utilizes the torsional resilience of the setting finger mount 62, and the pin 77 as disclosed in Figs. 10, 11 and 12, to prevent such untoward incident.

In Fig. 10, the driven finger is engaged with the O ring 27 and is traveling with the disc 25 and the O ring. The setting finger 71 is being manually rotated, and has caught up with the pointer finger 19 so that stop member 74 'has engaged the driven pointer finger. Owing to the temporary anchorage of the driven pointer finger on the rotating 0 ring 27, movement of the driven pointer finger 19 relative to the 0 ring is resisted. This resistance reacts through the engaged members to permit the setting finger 71 to remain relatively stationary while, however, the metal element 52 turns with the knob 53. The pin 77 is rigid on the metallic member and therefore moves in the slot 76 relative to the coupled fingers until the wedging or camming surface 78 thereof engages an edge of the driven finger 19. The driven finger reacts from the tapered surface 78 and is axially moved out of driven engagement with the 0 ring to release the parts and to permit the driven pointer finger to be positioned by the settable finger until the latter attains its new setting, despite the fact that the clutch is still in engagement. This axial shift of the driven pointer finger by the camming action of the pin may derive from resilience of the finger itself, from the axial shift of the finger and shaft 27' together against the resistance of the spring 36, or by both. As soon as the resistance of the driven pointer finger to movement is relieved by the axial camming thereof away from the rotating 0 ring, the torsional energy previously stored in the nylon mount 62 of the settable finger is released, to move the finger to its normal attitude relative to the knob, as the pin 77 relatively moves in the slot 76 toward its original setting therein.

It will be observed as an additional safety factor that even Without the pin 77 and its functioning, the sloping surface 37 guides the indenting lug 30 smoothly along the O ring 27 without abrading same. In general, the wall 49 formed on the O ring, by deformation of same, has twice the effective coupling action in driving the pointer finger 19 with the 6 ring in rotation, than the smooth camming surface 37 of the lug 3%} has in motion of the pointer finger 19 relative to the O ring in the opposite sense. This permits relative motion of the pointer finger 19 and 0 ring 27 in this latter sense, even in the clutching engagement thereof.

It will be clear that many modifications and alternative structures may be provided in exemplifying the invention, without departing from the spirit thereof. For instance, it will be seen that although it is preferred to provide the respective 0 rings as resilient non-metallic devices, within the broader aspects of the invention, one or more thereof may be metallic and may not need to be resilient in cross section.

It has been pointed out that the novel features of the invention are available for use in any organization in which the rotations or oscillations of a shaft can be used to drive the mechanism, and although, for simplicity and purposes of exposition, it has been described as particularly used in a time-controlled shaft actuation, the invention is not so limited, and the attached claims are to be construed according to the specific limitations therein and not as being limited to a timer only.

Patentable matter disclosed but not claimed herein is being claimed in a divisional application, Serial #564,157, filed February 8, 1956.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A timer or the like comprising a support, a rotatable element including a resilient rim, means mounting said element for rotation in said support, motor means for driving said element at a timed rate, a clutch shaft journalled in said support on an axis concentric with that of the rotatable element, means effecting axial shift of said clutch shaft, a driven finger mounted on said shaft, means on the finger for engaging said resilient rim in one axial position of said shaft, whereby the finger and element turn on the common axis in coupled relation, means positioned along the path of said finger limiting the motion thereof with said rotatable element and operative to effect axial motion of said clutch shaft to release the engagement of said finger with said resilient rim, and resilient means operative on said shaft to rotate said finger independently of said rotating element to return said finger to a starting position, and adjustable means for effecting an angular variable starting position for said driven finger.

2. A timer or the like comprising a settable finger, a driven finger, and a constantly driven rotatable member having a peripheral groove, a resilient 0 ring seated in said groove, means for changing the angular setting of said settable finger, spring bias means urging said driven finger toward said settable finger, means for moving said driven finger axially towwd said 0 ring, indenting means on said driven finger for interengaging said O ring to cause the driven finger to move angularly away from the settable finger, and means in the path of angular motion of said driven finger for engagement thereby for axially moving said driven finger out of interengagement with said 0 ring, whereby said spring bias returns the driven finger to the settable finger.

3. A timer or the like comprising electromagnetic means including a pivoted armature, a rock shaft, a lever on the rock shaft, a link pivoted to the lever and to the armature whereby when the electromagnetic means is energized the armature is actuated through the link to rock said rock shaft, a clevis on said rock shaft, a clutch shaft, means journalling the clutch shaft so as to bisect said clevis, means on said clutch shaft responsive to actuation of said clevis for movir the said clutch shaft axially in one sense, spring bias means for moving said clutch shaft in the opposite sense when the rock shaft is oppositely rocked, a driven finger including an indenting lug mounted on said clutch shaft, a rotatable disc journalled on an-axis concentric with the clutch shaft, a resilient O ring forming a rim of said rotatable member, means for driving the rotatable member at a timed rate, a cover plate, a settable finger mounted on the cover plate for manual adjustment, stop means on said settable finger, a torsion spring engaging said clutch shaft and exerting bias to urge said driven finger against said stop means, whereby motion of said armature actuates the clevis to move the clutch shaft in the sense to pull the driven finger into frictional interengagement with said O ring to initiate angular motion of said driven finger, and means responsive to the attainment of a given angular position of said driven finger for moving said armature in such sense as to permit the clutch shaft to move axially to release the engagement between said driven finger and said O ring to permit the torsion spring 'bias to return the driven finger against said stop.

4. A timer or the like comprising a support, a rotatable element having an element-axis and journalled on the support, a resilient rim on said element spaced radially from said axis, means for driving said element in angular motion at a predetermined rate in one direction, a shaft having a shaft-axis and journalled on the support with the shaft-axis coincident with the element-axis, a timing pointer finger mounted on the shaft in juxtaposition to said element, stop means angularly positionable about the axis of said shaft, means biasing said shaft in one angular direction so as to urge said pointer finger angularly toward said stop means, deformation indentation means on said pointer finger spaced from said shaft axis substantially along said finger and in juxtaposition to said rim, said deformation indentation means traversing an arcuate path parallel to the rim-defined area of said element and of given radius when said shaft is rotated, said pointer finger and said deformation indentation means being peripherally discontinuous and having dimensions in the circumferential line of said path of appreciably less than the angular extent of said path whereby their mass in radial spacing from said shaft-axis and their moment of inertia are predeterminedly smaller than if said dimensions were coextensive with said path and on the same given radius, means for moving said shaft and finger axially of said shaft-axis in one direction to cause engagement of said deformation indentation means on said pointer finger with said resilient rim to establish conjoint coupled motion of said rotatable element and said pointer finger against said bias and for movin said shaft and finger axially of said shaft-axis in the other direction to release said indentation means from said resilient rim to permit said pointer finger to move under the bias toward said stop at enhanced speed to impingement against said stop with minimal rebound because of the predetermineoly small moment of inertia of said finger and deformation indentation means.

5. A timer or the like comprising a support, a rotatable element having an element-axis and journalled in the support, a resilient rim on said element spaced radially from said axis, means for driving said element in an angular motion at a predetermined rate, a shaft having a shaft-axis and journalled on the support with the shaftaxis coincident with the element-axis, a timing pointer finger mounted on the shaft in juxtaposition to said element, deformation indentation means on said vfinger radially spaced from said shaft-axis and juxtaposed to said rim, said timing finger traversing an arcuate path parallel to the rim-defined area of said element when said shaft is rotated, said finger having a dimension in the circumferential line of said path of appreciably less than the angular extent of said path whereby its mass in radial spacing from said shaft-axis and its moment of inertia are predeterminedly smaller than if said dimension was coextensive with said path, means for moving said shaft and finger axially of said shaft-axis in one direction to cause engagement of said deformation indentation means on said finger with said resilient rim to establish conjoint coupled motion of said rotatable element and said finger and for moving said shaft and finger axially of said shaft-axis in the other direction to release said deformation indentation means from said resilient rim, and a torsion spring operative on said shaft of increased loading when the finger and shaft rotate with said element, and means for establishing a variable datum setting for said finger toward which said shaft and finger are biased by said spring upon release of said indentation means from said rim and to which said finger returns substantially without appreciable time lag due to the low inertia of said shaft and finger.

6. A timer or the like comprising a support having a front and a rear side, a hollow rotatable element having an element-axis and journalled in said support, a resilient rim in front of said support spaced radially from said element-axis, means on the rear side of said support for driving said element in angular motion at a predetermined rate, a shaft journalled in said element having a shaft-axis coincident with said element-axis, a timing finger mounted on said shaft in juxtaposition to said rim on the front side of the support, deformation indentation means on said finger radially spaced from said shaft-axis, said finger having dimensions transverse of said shaft-axis appreciably less than the 360 of said rotatable element and rim whereby its mass in radial spacing from said shaft-axis and therefor its moment of inertia is appreciably less than if said dimensions were coextensive with said rotatable element and rim, means in rear of said support for moving said shaft and finger on said shaft-axis in one direction to force said finger in axial motion against said rim to cause interlocking of said indentation means and said rim for conjoint rotation, means in rear of said support for moving said shaft and finger in the other direction axially of said shaft-axis to release said indentation means from said rim, means in front of said support establishing a variable datum setting for said finger, and torsion spring means in the rear of said support operative on said shaft to substantially instantaneously rotate same to bring said finger back to datum synchronously with release of the indenting means from said rim.

7. A timer or the like as recited in claim 6 in which said support is predeterminedly viewable from the front side thereof, and in which the difference in angular dimensions between said finger and said rotatable element and rim permit an observer to observe the condition of the resilient rim in large measure when stationary or during conjoint finger and rim movement.

8. A timer or the like comprising a cover plate, a rigid element extending in both directions through and journalled in said plate, said element having an axis and a bore concentric with the axis, a knob mounted on the element concentric with said axis and in front of said plate, a shock-absorbing resilient member having spaced ends disposed in said bore and at one end anchored to said element adjacent to said knob, said member guided in said bore at its other end to permit torsional distortion of said member without radial deflection of said other end, a pointer mounted on said other end of said member in the rear of said plate and normally having a predetermined angular relation to said knob, said pointer being susceptible to transitory movements out of said predetermined relation incident to shocks on said pointer by flexing of said resilient member.

9. A timer or the like comprising a cover plate having a central aperture, a rigid generally hollow element having an axis and journalled in the aperture, said element having a forwardly extending knob-mounting extension and a rearwardly disposed flange, said flange overlying the inner surface of said cover plate, means for anchoring said element against inward axial motion while permitting restrained rotary motion of the element, a knob mounted on said extension concentric with said axis, a shock-absorbing resilient member having spaced forward and inner ends and disposed generally concentrically in the element, means for anchoring the forward end only of said member to said element adjacent to said knob, and means for supporting and angularly guiding the inner end of said member, a pointer secured to the inner end of said member contiguous to and parallel to said flange, said pointer in the normal unflexed condition of the member having a predetermined angular relation to said knob and said flange and disposed to sweep the inner surface of said cover plate with rotations of said element by said knob, said pointer being responsive to angular pressures imposed thereon to flex said member and to temporarily move out of said predetermined angular relation, and a mounting plate on which said cover plate is mounted, a driven rotatable unit journalled in the mounting plate and including a resilient rim, a clutch shaft journalled in the rotatable unit, a finger mounted on said shaft in juxtaposition to the sweep path of said pointer, stop means mounted on said pointer and extending into the rotational path of said finger, a torsion spring on said shaft urging said finger toward and against said step means, indenting means on said finger in juxtaposition to said rim, clutch means for moving said shaft axially to move said indenting means on said finger into interengagement with the area of rim juxtaposed thereto to cause the finger to move from said stop means on said pointer and to rotate with said unit, switch actuating means on said mounting plate in the rotational path of said finger with said unit, means responsive to engagement of said finger with said switch actuating means for axially shifting said shaft to move same away from said unit to disengage the indenting means from said rim to permit said spring to return the finger in angular motion to abutment against said stop means on said pointer which latter can yield by flexing said member to absorb the shock and minimize rebound by said finger.

10. A timer or the like comprising a mounting plate, a hollow shaft journalled in said plate, an annular disc mounted on said hollow shaft in close juxtaposition to said plate and of smaller area than said plate so as to expose a generally peripheral viewing area thereof radially of and beyond said disc, a resilient rim on the periphery of said disc, a clutch shaft journalled in said hollow shaft, a finger fixed to said clutch shaft and extending radially thereof across said rim to a terminal end overlying said viewing area, indentation deformation means on said finger between said terminal end and said clutch shaft overlying said rim and movable directly with clutch shaft axial movement to interengage or disengage said rim, switch means on said viewing area in the path of angular motion of part of said finger for engagement and actuation by the latter, a fixed support mounted on said mounting plate relative to which the viewing area and said rim may be observed, a pointer shaft journalled in the fixed support, a knob on said pointer shaft, a pointer mounted on said pointer shaft having a terminal end overlying and sweeping said viewing area with rotations of said knob, to establish when stationary a datum setting for the finger, said pointer mounting an abutment in the path of angular motion of part of said finger to establish an observable datum setting when the latter engages said abutment, resilient means biasing said clutch shaft and finger toward said abutment, means for moving said clutch shaft and finger axially to interengage the indentation means and rim to initiate a cycle of angular motion of said finger while increasing the loading of said resilient means, and means responsive to engagement by said finger with said switch means to move said shaft axiallyv to release the finger from said rim to snap said finger into datum setting while partially unloading said resilient means.

11. A timer or the like as in claim 2 in which the indentation means on said driven finger has a sloping face edge facing in the direction of the relatively retreating resilient rim so that when indentedly engaged with the resilient rim in any situation in which the driven finger is moved reversely to the rotating rim the sloping face edge rides on the resilient rim and moves the means on the finger out of indentation relation and into a brushed relation by a camming action to permit relative movement of said rim comprised of said O ring and said indenting means on said driven finger in such sense of relative motion of the 0 ring and said finger.

12. A timer or the like as in claim 8, in which the resilient member comprises a non-metallic polymerized material.

13. A timer or the like as in claim 8, in which the rigid element comprises a knob-receiving portion and a hearing portion of greater diameter than the knob-receiving portion, and in which said bore is of a given diameter in the knob-receiving portion and of greater diameter in the bearing portion, and in which the resilient member has a given diameter for anchorage in the bore of the knob-receiving portion and a larger diameter for slidable guiding in that portion of the bore of greater diameter in the bearing portion whereby the free unanchored larger diameter of said member is slidably guided angularly in said bore during torsional deformation of said member.

14. In timers or the like, a support, a driven finger journalled on the support, power means, means coupling the driven finger to the power means for moving said driven finger in a first direction on a path, resilient means for moving said driven finger in a second direction on said path, settable finger means journalled on said support and incorporating a stop disposed substantially on said path for impingement by said driven finger in its second direction of movement or for impingement against said finger on its first direction of movement, said settable finger means also incorporating driven fingeruncoupling means substantially in said path, means for normally biasing the stop and uncoupling means to such relative positions that the uncoupling means is normally out of contact with said driven finger when the latter impinges against said stop, said settable finger means permitting relative motion between said stop and said uncoupling means against said bias in response to pressure against said stop means, whereby on said first direction of movement of said driven finger followed up by adjustment of the settable finger means until said stop engages said driven finger the uncoupling means engages the driven finger and uncouples same from the power means.

15. In timers or the like, a support having portions, a driven finger journalled on one portion of the support, a settable finger, means for driving the driven finger angularly in one sense through a cycle from contact with said settable finger, means for supporting, angularly adjusting and cushioning said settable finger comprising; a member having an internal bore and mounted for oscillation in a second portion of said support and having axially spaced first and second member ends respectively extending beyond said second portion of the support, control means mounted on said first member end for oscillating said member, a torsion element having axially spaced first and second element ends, said torsion element disposed in said bore with its said first element end connected to said first member end as the only connection between the element and member whereby said torsion element is free to flex angularly between its first and second element ends with relation to said second member end and to said second portion of the support, means mounting said settable finger on said second element end to project substantially radially thereof axially beyond said second member end, whereby the positioning of said settable finger is by torque applied to the first element end through said first member end by said control means cushioned by flexing of said torsion element, bias means for returning said driven finger to contact with said settable finger at the conclusion of a cycle, said torsion element comprising a shock-absorbing device to absorb the impact energy of and prevent rebound of said driven finger.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 434,503 Corry Aug. 19, 1890 1,428,902 Porter Sept. 12, 1922 1,497,922 LuX June 17, 1924 1,541,644 Herbermann June 9. 1925 14 Henschel Dec. 8, Edelmann Aug. 16, Stern Nov. 20, Siptrott Dec. 16, Weil Mar. 1, Roach et a1. Feb. 14, Dorsett et a1. Aug. 27, Scofield Feb. 1, Habig Nov. 13, Macleod June 18, Geiger et a1. June 15, White July 10, Hertrich July 7, Kelleigh Sept. 28, Field June 5, 

